Dipsacus inermis

A plant of coarse character in late summer for the back of the border or the wild meadow garden. Strong branched stems carry small pincushion shaped heads crammed with tiny cream tubular flowers, visited by moths. By late autumn there are still a few pale lemon pincushions low down on fresh shoots, while earlier flowers have become dome-shaped seed heads, green when fresh, drying brown, making attractive skeletons. Needs retentive soil. Image 2 show a small white butterfly enjoying the many small flowers.